After hearing in the previous 7 Beatitudes the character of a true believer of Jesus Christ, it should be assumed this believer will also be persecuted or ostracized in some way. Have you ever been rejection for being a Christian? Have you ever felt you were not in line with the present culture and its ethics? Persecution says Kent Hughes is not always dramatic but can be mundane and even “civilized.” Most persecution we face is verbal harassment. Sometimes direct and sometimes indirect. Many of us do not receive persecution because we primarily move within Christian circles. If such is the case, are we missing the blessing that comes from persecution? Jesus said rejoice and be glad when being persecuted for our reward will be great in the kingdom of heaven. Persecution, He says, brings joy.
NCF Sunday Worship
January 8, 2023 • Pastor Bob Becker • 2 Corinthians 4:17–18, Psalm 146, Isaiah 53:7–12, Matthew 5:10–12
NCF Sunday Worship Livestream - March 26, 2023
March 26, 2023 • Pastor Bob Becker • Deuteronomy 15:6–11, Matthew 5:38–42, Romans 12:20–21, Psalm 86:1–10
We are used to demanding our rights. Jesus says his followers have no right to retaliate, no right to things, no right to his own time or to his own money. We are all just stewards of what the Lord has given to us. We are obligated to use them as Jesus did. He helped others. Sound radical? You bet it is. Jesus preached truth in action. It is no wonder the Gospel spread so quickly over the whole earth.
NCF Sunday Worship Livestream - March 19, 2023
March 19, 2023 • Pastor Bob Becker • Psalm 145:13–21, Zechariah 8:14–19, Matthew 5:33–37, Leviticus 19:12
The Lord God loves the truth. Jesus makes that clear in this text. Jesus, however, knows it is difficult to attain the truth. Often people and nations only honor the truth when it serves their best interests. How many times have we read a newspaper, heard the news on TV, and asked, “Is that true?” Trust in the media to tell the truth has slipped to an all-time low. People get anxious when there is a shortage of food, fuel, and other needed supplies but what about when we do not know what is the truth? Jesus in this text is not saying oaths and vows are wrong but they should not be used to find a way to get out of doing what we promised. Our “yes” and “no” should be enough to give another person the assurance we will do what we promised. How rare that is in our day, but it should not be rare among Jesus’ disciples. Radical disciples of Jesus Christ are called to be radical truth tellers. If we are not, how can anyone be certain we are telling the truth when we share with them the Gospel?
NCF Sunday Worship Livestream - March 12, 2023
March 12, 2023 • Pastor Bob Becker • Matthew 5:31–32, Hebrews 13:4, Revelation 19:4–9, Isaiah 62:1–5
What does Jesus have to say about divorce? We want to know because divorce is common today. While Jesus’ words warn the church not to be too permissive regarding divorce, the church must speak up against getting a divorce for any reason. Married couples cannot divorce just for irreconcilable differences. Jesus, however, does permit divorce on the grounds of marital unfaithfulness. Paul adds the other exception as grounds for divorce of willful desertion by a spouse. To permit divorce for these reasons does not mean there must be divorce for these reasons. There are many divorces today that do not happen under these exceptions. What is the church’s response? Is it grounds for church discipline? It can be but often divorced brothers and sisters come to us without us knowing the reasons for their divorce. The church is supposed to offer them forgiveness and not treat them like second class citizens but demonstrate loving understanding since we all sin. Jesus made this point in the previous verses. If anyone looks at a woman with lust, he has committed adultery in his heart. How many of us have sinned in this way? We do not dismiss sin, but when we repent of it, it is forgiven!